Thursday, March 3, 2011

UIS hosts Illinois State Library initiative on using technology to create positive change

The University of Illinois Springfield hosted the ILEAD U (Illinois Libraries Explore, Apply and Discover) Initiative, which met Feb. 28-March 3, 2011 on campus. The initiative is part of the Illinois State Library’s effort to use web technologies that foster community participation to create innovation and positive change

“It’s really a program about leadership more than anything, but they come together in this team effort to craft a solution that meets this need,” said Anne Craig, director of the Illinois State Library.

UIS has hosted the event before and the university also has a number of librarians who have taken part in the initiative. Four staff members from Brookens Library participated last year and visiting instructional librarian Sarah Sagmoen was selected to serve as an instructor this year.

“We have a lot of things to show off and we get a chance to say what we’re doing and then people can take that back to their libraries and see if it will work for them,” said Sagmoen.

University Librarian and Dean Jane Treadwell says the experience the UIS librarians gain from the initiative is invaluable.

“I think it’s wonderful to be able to work with the state library and to capitalize on the fact that we’re both in the state capitol here. It’s a really good partnership,” said Treadwell.